The following is a listing of pharmaceutical assistance programs compiled by Bexar County Department of Community Investment's Ryan White Program Office. Eligibility requirements vary for each program so please check carefully to determine if a client is able to receive benefits.
BVCOG HIV Program policies and procedures were last updated in August 2008. This includes policies and procedures for the Administrative Agency and HIV subcontractors regarding contracts, monitoring, planning, and data management. To download the policies, click here.
NQC has announced the schedule for the 2009 National TA Conference Calls. NQC hosts monthly National TA Calls on a variety of topics to highlight key quality improvement concepts and methodologies. Using webcasting technologies, participants can review the actual presentation slides and engage presenters in the Q&A session during the TA Call. Part-specific examples are provided and fellow grantees share their experiences and best practices.
2009 TA Call Schedule
- February 12, 3-4pm ET: Overview of Quality Improvement Learning Opportunities (new)
- March 12, 3-4pm ET: Effective Quality Improvement Meetings and Teams (new)
- April 9, 3-4pm ET: Writing and Updating Your Quality Management Plan
- May 14, 3-4pm ET: Developing a QM Action Plan (new)
- June 11, 3-4pm ET: Integrating HAB Core Measures Into your QM Program
- July 9, 3-4pm ET: Engaging Consumers in Quality Improvement
- August 13, 3-4pm ET: Quality Management for Case Managers and Non-Clinical Care (new)
- September 10, 3-4pm ET: Supporting Patient Self-Management
- October 8, 3-4pm ET: Improving Patient Retention
- November 12, 3-4pm ET: Health Literacy (new)
- December 10, 3-4pm ET: Lessons Learned from the Cross-Part Collaborative (new)
Participants must register for calls in advance. Registration for the calls opens several weeks before the call takes place. To learn more about the TA calls or to register, click here
The following PowerPoint presentation was provided for a technical assistance conference call held by DSHS on January 26, 2009. The topic for the call was Managing Acute HIV Infection: Nucleic Acid Amplification Testing (NAAT) and was presented by Nick Curry, MD, MPH of the Infectious Diseases Prevention Section of the Texas Department of State Health Services.
NAAT Presentation Download file PPT
DSHS has revised the HIV Taxonomy (Glossary of Services). In this update, a change has been made to the Housing Services category to clarify the 24 month lifetime limit per household (HRSA HAB policy 99-02). The notation on that service has been changed to clarify that the 24 month limit applies only to housing services funded by Ryan White monies and does not apply to housing services funded utilizing State Services funds. Please note: this does not affect HOPWA services in any way.
January 2009 HIV Glossary of Services: Download file PDF
The presentation at Texas State University for the HIV Awareness Conference. Download file PDF
http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2008/11/05/health/healthguide/TE_AIDS_CLIPS.html Listen to and read the stories… World AIDS Day is coming up!
http://www.ci.austin.tx.us/hivcouncil/
http://hab.hrsa.gov
http://www.kff.org
http://www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/
http://hiv.bvcog.org
The following three documents are for the HOPWA renewal application for the grant year February 1, 2009 to January 31, 2010. The application and forms are due by 5 p.m. November 21, 2008.
HOPWA Renewal Guidance Download file MS Word
HOPWA Narrative Forms Download file MS Word
HOPWA Budget Forms Download file MS Excel
The following is the BVCOG Community Input Plan, revised and updated for 2008. Some of the input methods include use of a toll free number (866-841-7288), use of pre-site visit client satisfaction questionnaires, site visits with providers (including key informant interviews with staff and clients, and file reviews), electronic distribution of materials, and public hearings.
If you would like to join the distribution list for community input announcements, please email cmcelhaney@bvcog.org. This web site will host community input announcements and information out for comment.
Download file PDF
The Brazos Valley Council of Governments has awarded the following funds for the provision of HIV/AIDS services in each of the five HIV service delivery areas (HSDAs) of the Central Texas Planning Area:
Austin HSDA
Four agencies in the Austin HSDA were awarded a total of $1,007,564 in the following service categories:
Outpatient Ambulatory Health Services $772,564
Mental Health Services $70,000
Oral Health Care $80,000
Health Insurance Premium and Cost Sharing Assistance $20,000
AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance - Local $65,000
The following agencies were awarded funding:
City of Austin Community Care Services Department
Outpatient Ambulatory Health Services $671,455
AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance - Local $53,000
AIDS Services of Austin
Oral Health Care $80,000
Waterloo Counseling Center
Mental Health Services $70,000
Community Action, Inc.
Outpatient Ambulatory Health Services $101,109
Health Insurance Premium and Cost Sharing Assistance $20,000
AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance - Local $12,000
Case Management - Non-Medical $160,252
Medical Case Management $38,706
Outpatient Ambulatory Health Services $38,500
AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance-Local $14,500
Oral Health Care $15,000
Medical Transportation $3,000
Health Insurance Premium & Cost Sharing Assistance $6,500
Mental Health Services $2,000
Substance Abuse Services - Outpatient $1,000
Case Management - Non-Medical $21,000
AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance-Local $22,000
Oral Health Care $11,574
Outpatient Ambulatory Health Services $106,686
Mental Health Services $3,500
Health Insurance Premium & Cost Sharing Assistance $15,015
Case Management - Non-Medical $143,500
Outpatient Ambulatory Health Services $16,832
AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance - Local $76,831
Oral Health Care $19,000
Health Insurance Premium & Cost Sharing Assistance $46,682
Outpatient Ambulatory Health Services $56,000
Case Management - Non-Medical $98,558
Medical Case Management $80,000
AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance - Local $30,000
Oral Health Care $54,000
Health Insurance Premium & Cost Sharing Assistance $25,000
Mental Health Services $3,000
The Brazos Valley Council of Governments has awarded the following funds for the provision of HIV/AIDS services in each of the five HIV service delivery areas (HSDAs) of the Central Texas Planning Area:
Austin HSDA
Four agencies in the Austin HSDA were awarded a total of $476,909 in the following service categories:
Outpatient Ambulatory Health Services $102,729
Mental Health Services $20,000
Health Insurance Premium and Cost Sharing Assistance $57,000
AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance - Local $21,837
Case Management - Non-Medical $238,699
Food Bank/Home Delivered Meals $10,000
Non-Medical Transportation Services $26,644
The following agencies were awarded funding:
City of Austin Community Care Services Department
Outpatient Ambulatory Health Services $102,729
Mental Health Services $20,000
AIDS Pharmaceutical Assistance - Local $21,837
AIDS Services of Austin
Health Insurance Premium and Cost Sharing Assistance $57,000
Community Action, Inc.
Case Management - Non-Medical $238,699
Food Bank/Home Delivered Meals $10,000
Non-Medical Transportation Services $26,644
Case Management - Non-Medical $46,698
Medical Transportation $17,795
Food Bank/Home Delivered Meals $5,000
Case Management - Non-Medical $44,467
Medical Transportation $9,553
Food Bank/Home Delivered Meals $5,000
Case Management - Non-Medical $60,502
Non-Medical Transportation $10,818
Food Bank/Home Delivered Meals $3,081
Case Management - Non-Medical $37,793
Oral Health Care $10,000
Non-Medical Transportation $18,249
Food Bank/Home Delivered Meals $19,960
BVCOG will be contacting funded agencies with information regarding contract negotiations within the next couple of weeks.
Funding decision awards for SS and RWSD will be announced at a later date. Applicants will be notified of the new award announcement date. Please check back later for details.
| Austin HSDA | |
| Community Action, Inc. | $20,867 |
| Project Sponsor Administrative Cost | $1,461 |
| Project Sponsor STRMU | $5,492 |
| Project Sponsor TRBA | $10,342 |
| Project Sponsor Support Services | $3,572 |
| Permanent Housing Placement Services | $0 |
| Bryan/College Station HSDA | |
| Project Unity | $66,380 |
| Project Sponsor Administrative Cost | $4,448 |
| Project Sponsor STRMU | $6,692 |
| Project Sponsor TRBA | $50,000 |
| Project Sponsor Support Services | $3,240 |
| Permanent Housing Placement Services | $2,000 |
| Concho Plateau HSDA | |
| San Angelo AIDS Foundation | $50,195 |
| Project Sponsor Administrative Cost | $900 |
| Project Sponsor STRMU | $5,370 |
| Project Sponsor TRBA | $37,735 |
| Project Sponsor Support Services | $3,925 |
| Permanent Housing Placement Services | $2,265 |
| Temple/Killeen HSDA | |
| United Way of the Greater Fort Hood Area | $44,539 |
| Project Sponsor Administrative Cost | $2,658 |
| Project Sponsor STRMU | $10,841 |
| Project Sponsor TRBA | $25,894 |
| Project Sponsor Support Services | $5,146 |
| Permanent Housing Placement Services | $0 |
| Waco HSDA | |
| Waco/McLennan County Public Health District | $77,860 |
| Project Sponsor Administrative Cost | $0 |
| Project Sponsor STRMU | $20,260 |
| Project Sponsor TRBA | $57,600 |
| Project Sponsor Support Services | $0 |
| Permanent Housing Placement Services | $0 |
PUBLIC NOTICE
Request for Proposals for Ryan White Part B, HIV Health and Social Services (State Services), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
On August 31, 2007, the Brazos Valley Council of Governments will release a Request for Proposals (RFP) for Ryan White Part B, HIV Health and Social Services (State Services), and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) funds to contract for the initial contract year of 2008-2009. Proposals are requested from eligible entities in the Central Texas HIV Administrative Service Area to provide health and social services to eligible persons living with HIV/AIDS. Eligible applicants must be public or private nonprofit health care or social services organizations doing business within one of the five HIV Service Delivery Areas (HSDAs): Austin, Bryan/College Station, San Angelo, Temple/Killeen, and Waco.
A complete set of specifications and documents is available for download at http://hiv.bvcog.org or by calling (979) 595-2830.
A letter of intent should be submitted by September 14, 2007. A Pre-Proposal Conference on completion of the proposal will be held on October 3, 2007 at 10:00 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Brazos Valley Council of Governments (3991 East 29th Street, Bryan, Texas 77802) in the Board Room. Attendance at the conference is not mandatory, but is strongly encouraged. To be considered, proposals must be received no later than 4:00 p.m. on October 26, 2007.
Download file FY08 RFP Guidance Document - MS Word
Download file FY08 RFP Narrative Forms - MS Word
Download file FY08 RFP Budget Forms - MS Excel
Download file FY08 RFP Public Notice - MS Word
9.17.07 A new services taxonomy was released by the Texas Department of State Health Services on September 17, 2007. Please note the service category changes and use this taxonomy for the application. Download file PDF
9.20.07 This RFP was amended on September 20, 2007. Please download this file for the new HOPWA funding amounts. Download file - MS Word
10.15.07 Questions and Answers from the bidders conference and those received by email. PDF
The following PDF files contains the proposed Ryan White Part B and State Services allocations for the Central Texas HIV/AIDS Planning Area. Today, August 22, 2007, begins a 30 day comment period. Please email comments or suggestions to chamilton@bvcog.org, or use the anonymous feedback form located at http://hiv.bvcog.org/feedback.html. You may also contact Christopher Hamilton at 979-595-2830 (or toll free 866-841-7288). Comments must be received by September 22, 2007.
08-09_CTHPA_Proposed_Allocations.pdf This has been rescinded, and an update is below
Download file PDF 20 KB Updated allocations as of September 6, 2007
All amounts listed are based on a level funding scenario and are subject to change based on the actual award to the State of Texas and the DSHS allocations to each HSDA.
Ryan White funding year: April 1, 2008 - March 31, 2009
State Services funding year: September 1, 2008 - August 31, 2009
HOPWA funding year: February 1, 2008 - January 31, 2009
Following is the Comprehensive HIV Services Plan for the Central Texas Planning Area 2007-2009
Download file PDF 300KB
The following link is for the 2007 Central Texas HIV/AIDS Planning Area Comprehensive Plan Draft. Today, March 29, 2007, opens a 30 day comment period on the draft linked to below. To submit comments, suggestions, or questions, please contact Christopher Hamilton (chamilton@bvcog.org), telephone 979-595-2801 x2225 or tollfree 866-841-7288. You may also submit via the web anonymously at http://hiv.bvcog.org/feedback.html. Please submit all comments related to this draft plan no later than April 29, 2007.
Section 1 contains data about the population, the needs assessment findings, how the care system functions at present, and resources available.
Section 2 describes where we want to go, where we would like the system to move to.
Section 3 contains the goals and objectives on reaching the desired system of care.
Section 4 describes how we will monitor our progress in moving to the desired system of care.
Download file PDF 1.21 MB
Following is information from the DSHS HIV/STD Conference presentation by Christopher Hamilton, "Planning for Change: Ryan White Services in Texas"
Power Point Slides from presentation PDF
(presented 12.12.06)
Links to resources for the RWTMA 2006
GAO-05-841T "Ryan White CARE Act - Factors That Impact HIV and AIDS Funding and Client Coverage" PDF
GAO-06-703T "Ryan White CARE Act: Changes Needed to Improve the Distribution of Funding" PDF
Institute of Medicine - Measuring What Matters: Allocation, Planning, and Quality Assessment for the Ryan White CARE Act read online in HTML for free
Public Financing and Delivery of HIV/AIDS Care: Securing the Legacy of Ryan White read online in HTML for free
Target has developed a discount generic drug program like that of Wal-Mart. The PDF below lists 300+ generic drugs that can be purchased for $4.00. The program is for a 30 day supply. The drug must be the exact name, dose, and form specified to qualify for the program.
Click here to find a Target pharmacy
List of drugs on the $4 generic formulary Download file PDF updated 1.11.07
The 2006 Central Texas HIV Planning Area Needs Assessment Report is complete. Following are the links to download the reports, in PDF format. For the Austin HSDA, please reference the report compiled by the Austin Title I Comprehensive HIV Planning Council. For the other HSDAs listed, each file contains the epidemiology and survey results from the entire planning area and then a portion devoted to the specific HSDA referenced.
2006 Needs Assessment Report Download file PDF (8 MB)
Bryan - College Station HSDA report portion Download file PDF (1.46 MB)
Concho Plateua HSDA report portion Download file PDF (1.32 MB)
Temple - Killeen HSDA report portion Download file PDF (1.39 MB)
Waco HSDA report portion Download file PDF (1.56 MB)
Following are many resources and web sites with information that was presented during the July 2, 2006 address to the Unitarian Univesalist Church in College Station, TX.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services issued a policy on April 26 regarding changes to a formulary during a plan year. Previous, a drug plan could drop a drug from its formulary with 60 days notice to the beneficiary. The beneficiary would then be stuck in the plan until the next open enrollment period (November 15, 2006). The policy that was issued now protects beneficiaries.
The new policy says, "No beneficiaries will be subject to a discontinuation or reduction in coverage of the drugs they are currently using." It says an insurer can remove a drug from its formulary, increase copayments for a drug or impose new coverage restrictions "only if enrollees currently taking the affected drug are exempt from the formulary change for the remainder of the plan year." The policy allows some exceptions. For example, an insurer could remove a drug from its formulary if new research shows the drug was unsafe or if a new generic equivalent becomes available.
See the Medicare Part D resources page http://hiv.bvcog.org/2005/11/medicare_part_d_resources.html
The Kaiser Family Foundation held a panel discussion on March 28, 2006 in which ADAP was discussed. Dwayne Haught, director of the Texas ADAP THMP, was a panelist.
Slides from the presentation as well as other materials presented may be found at the Kaiser Family Foundation website http://www.kff.org/hivaids/hiv033006pkg.cfm
Additionally, the video and podcast are available for download at http://www.kaisernetwork.org/health_cast/hcast_index.cfm?display=detail&hc=1686
The following PDF is the announcement from Ann Robbins at DSHS regarding the changes to planning process for Title II in Texas.
Download file PDF
Following is the text of the announcement:
From Ann Robbins at DSHS,
"I know some folks have been interested in the use of client data in the formula allocation for state services for 2007 (sept 2006 - august 2007) given the rawness of ARIES data and the issues with imports that we have. In light of this, the formula was run with client data from 2004 (specifically, the months of January, August and December of 2004). These data are more stable"
Below are links to resources about the Medicare Rx / Part D prescription drug program.
° HRSA and how part D pertains to HIV and Ryan White
° HIV Medicine Association PDF file - an enrollment toolkit specifically for HIV/AIDS
° Official web site for people with Medicare from the Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
° Download file PDF FAQ Sheet from the Texas Department of State Health Services
° Link to the Texas HIV Medication Program home page. They will have updates regarding MCR part D.
° DSHS - THMP presentation on Medicare Part D - by THMP Manager Dwayne Haught Download file PDF
° DSHS - Medicare Part D manual and FAQ
° HRSA CARE Action Newsletter from October 2005 includes some good information regarding the program, visit http://hab.hrsa.gov/publications/october2005/
° Some patients have experienced problems in obtaining medications at the pharmacy due to computer problems. A list of "what-if" scenarios has been compiled. The PDF can be downloaded here.
° The Treatment Access Expansion Project has provided a list of resources for HIV and Medicare Part D.
° Texas Medicare Rx - a web site specifically for Texas residents and Medicare Part D issues.
° Texas HHSC press release announcing the decision for the Texas Medicaid to continue to fill prescriptions for dual eligibles that are having trouble filling perscriptions under their new Part D plan.
° A Word document that has many links to Medicare websites and publications Download file
° Case Manager Talking Points from NASTAD
° Case manager training and presentations on February 13, 2006
° 03.22.06 The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services are adding 1.2 Million additional people automatically to the prescription drug program, Part D. Read the CMS Announcement
° 04.26.06 CMS issues policy to protect beneficiaries from changes to a drug plan formulary. A drug plan could change its forumlary with 60 days notice to a beneficiary, but the person would be stuck with the plan until the next open enrollment period. The policy now says "No beneficiaries will be subject to a discontinuation or reduction in coverage of the drugs they are currently using." It says an insurer can remove a drug from its formulary, increase copayments for a drug or impose new coverage restrictions "only if enrollees currently taking the affected drug are exempt from the formulary change for the remainder of the plan year."
See the articles at Kaiser Family Foundation or NY Times
° 05.31.06 This is an update from DHHS-CMS. The key messages:
° If you serve Medicare patients, you need to obtain a National Provider Identifier;
° For FQHCs and RHCs that serve Medicare patients where Medicare Advantage (managed care) plans are available to patients in your area, there are steps you must take to continue receiving reimbursement for serving them;
° If you offer pharmacy services to Medicare patients, you need to sign contracts with Medicare Part D plans to obtain reimbursement;
° If you offer pharmacy services, you can save up to 77% on drug and supply costs by signing up with 340B and the Prime Vendor.
Download file PDF
° 06.12.06 The HIV Medication Association (HIVMA) published their last newsletter with an article about exceptions and appeals for Medicare Part D. Download file PDF - this is the page taken from the Spring 2006 HIVMA newsletter. It has some very good information about the appeals and exceptions process.
° 08.03.06 The Kaiser Family Foundation Published a new report: The Role of Part D for People With HIV/AIDS: Coverage and Cost of Antiretrovirals Under Medicare Drug Plans. Visit the web site to download a free PDF of the report.
Please see the PDF document regarding a presentation about Medicare Part D. This will be presented by Dwayne Haught with the Texas HIV Medication Program and is targeted specifically to HIV providers, so this should be very beneficial to those of you providing direct client services or if you're just interested in how this will affect clients on THMP. The seminar will be November 10 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Texas Department of State Health Services, 1100 West 49th Street, Austin, TX 78756. The seminar will be in lecture hall K-100.